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enMancini frustrated by hesitant InterA frustratedRoberto Mancini lamented Inters lack of attacking intent after they suffered a 1-0 Serie A defeat at home against Fiorentina on Sunday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/mancini-frustrated-hesitant-inter
On-loan Chelsea attackerMohamed Salah came off the bench to score the only goal of the game for Vincenzo Montella's men10 minutes into the second half.
It was Fiorentina's first away win at Inter in Serie A since May 2000 and ended Inter's recent run of three consecutive league wins.
Mancini was frustrated by his team's passive first-half performance, but still felt they could have taken something from the game.
"We were generous, we know they are a good team and it was in my opinion a very balanced game," he told the club's official website.
"Had we found the equaliser immediately, maybe we could try to bring home a victory.
"The problem was that at first we were hesitant. Fiorentina are a team that dribbles well. In the first half we had to be bolder, more determined."
Inter looked a different team following the introduction ofXherdan Shaqiri midway through the second half, and the Swiss midfielder laid on a couple of great chances for Mauro Icardi and Fredy Guarin to level.
Lukas Podolski and Mateo Kovacic were less impressive in Mancini's eyes, however.
"Shaqiri did well but had played [on]Thursday, so it was right to give him rest," Mancini added.
"Podolski must give more, so it is not enough, he is the first to know that. Even from Mateo I expect more."
Inter will certainly require more from their star men when they travel to third-placed Napoli in their next league match.
news_articleSun, 01 Mar 2015 20:23:53 +0000353279 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comInters Mancini wary of Fiorentina qualityRoberto Mancini has warned Inter to be wary of Fiorentinas extra quality when they welcome Vincenzo Montellas men to San Siro on Sunday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/mancini-wary-fiorentina-quality
Inter are just four points adrift of fifth-placed Fiorentina in eighth following run three straight victories in the league.
Victory over the Florence club would be a significant boost to Inter's prospects of European qualification, however, Mancini believes Fiorentina are better in the final third.
"Fiorentina play some lovely football whereas I think we need a bit more time and a bit more quality," Mancini said.
"Fiorentina have very technical players and we must be concentrated. They fixed some issues at the back, but still have an attacking mentality. They play well and have been working together for a number of years."
Speaking about Montella - who he played with at Sampdoria - Mancini added: "He scored many goals thanks to me.It was a real pleasure to play alongside him.
"He's a good lad and deserves all his current success. He makes Fiorentina play really good football.
"Montella has enough experience to be a coach at any club, even the biggest ones, but a young tactician has to think carefully about his future and choose the side that will allow him to work in the best circumstances."
news_articleSat, 28 Feb 2015 17:55:47 +0000352555 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comMancini: I tried to take Guarin to GalatasarayRoberto Mancini has revealed that he tried to lure Fredy Guarin toGalatasaray last season but was snubbed by the Inter midfielder.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/mancini-i-tried-take-guarin-galatasaray
Guarin's stunning late strike at San Siro on Thursday ensured Inter beat 10-man Celtic 1-0 in the UEFA Europa League to progress to the round of 16.
The Colombia international has now scored four goals in his last fivegames, but he may nowbe plying his trade in Turkey ifMancini had his way during his short reign atGalatasaray.
"I called him because I knew that he was a good player and I thought he could be very useful for us," the Inter coach said.
"He wanted to stay at Inter and I'm happy about that now – he is playing very well here."
Guarin won the Europa League with Porto four years ago, but the 28-year-old will now put thoughts of European success to one side as Inter attempt to secure a fourth successive Serie A win atFiorentina on Sunday.
He said: "We have to take it one game at a time, starting with our next outing in the league, which is very important,
"Things are changing [at Inter] – and most of all, the results are changing too."
news_articleFri, 27 Feb 2015 10:50:14 +0000351766 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comMancini irked by mistakes despite Inter winInter head coach Roberto Mancini believes his side need to cut out mistakes in their game, despite seeing them progress in the UEFA Europa League with a 1-0 win over Celtic.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/mancini-irked-mistakes-despite-win
Having drawn 3-3 in the first leg, Inter advanced to the last 16 thanks to Fredy Guarin's stunning late goal at San Siro on Thursday.
Celtic had made a bright start, Gary Mackay-Steven seeing an early chance saved by Juan Pablo Carrizo, before the visitors had strong penalty appeals waved away when Stuart Armstrong went down under Davide Santon's challenge.
Inter's task was made easier when Virgil van Dijk was sent off nine minutes prior to the interval, but Mancini still feels there is plenty of work for his side to do.
"There was a big risk at the start, as a goal then would change the game," hetold Mediaset.
"With the red card, it became easier. We are getting better, but still make mistakes in every single match.
"When we don't make mistakes any more, then we can say we're better.
"We should've scored earlier to relax into the game.We must improve in every respect. We are making progress and will try to run fewer risks in defence, ensuring the midfield protects them more.
"Celtic were more locked down today and didn't allow us the same spaces we had in Glasgow.
"When they attacked, we weren't quick enough to cover the gap between midfield and defence, as Hernanes and Guarin stayed too far forward."
news_articleThu, 26 Feb 2015 21:17:49 +0000351459 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comMancini: Icardi can be one of the worlds bestInter coach Roberto Mancini has backed in-form striker Mauro Icardi to become one of the worlds best strikers overthe next 10 years.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/icardi-can-be-one-worlds-best-mancini
The Argentine forward has 19 goals to his name in all competitions this term, with seven of those coming since the turn of the year.
Ahead of Inter's UEFA Europa League clash with Celtic on Thursday, former striker Mancini feels Icardi still has even more to offer.
"He can still improve a great deal because he's so young," Mancini told reporters.
"No 22-year-old knows everything about being a striker – he can definitely get better in all areas of his game.
"He can be one of the top strikers around for the next 10years."
Last week's 3-3 thriller at Celtic Park leaves Inter with anadvantage going intothe second leg of the last 32 tie at San Siro.
With Inter boasting a three-match winning run in Serie A, Mancini also dismissed suggestions his side may be fatigued following a hectic schedule.
"When I was a player, I always preferred playing as many matches as possible," he added.
"We've found a tactical system that we feel comfortable with and it’s not easy to change quickly. The three wins give us that extra bit of confidence.
"They're testament to our hard work, but the league table still isn't right for a club like Inter. Our aim is to keep growing."
news_articleWed, 25 Feb 2015 19:05:03 +0000350731 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comLate scare typical of Inter, admits ManciniRoberto Mancini was philosophical over Inters late scare at Cagliari, claiming their lapses in concentration in Mondays 2-1 Serie A win are typical of the team.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/late-scare-typical-inter-mancini
Inter looked to be in command after goals from Mateo Kovacic and Mauro Icardi gave them a 2-0 lead in Sardinia, only for Cagliari loanee Samuele Longo to pull one back in the 74th minute against his parent club to set up a tense finish.
But Mancini's men held on to claim a third straight win and move up to sixth in Serie A, four points adrift of fifth-placed Fiorentina, who they play on Sunday.
And the former Manchester City boss believes thoughts about that clash and the UEFA Europa League last 32 second leg with Celtic on Thursday may have caused his players to lose focus.
"If we don't make things difficult for ourselves, then we wouldn't be Inter," Mancini told Sky Sport Italia.
"We had the chance to score twice in the first half and failed. We went in front, then Longo came on and did very well. He used Juan Jesus' body to turn and deserves applause for a great goal.
"In the 10 minutes after that goal, anything could've happened. It was wide open and after 65 minutes we should've been well in control.
"When 2-0 up it's possible the team relaxed a little, especially with three intense games this week and not much squad rotation."
On-loan Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski missed a host of first-half opportunities for Inter, however, Mancini feels the Germany forward will make a key impact at some point this season, despite failing to find the net thus far.
"I believe the time will come when Podolski will score an important goal," he added. "Of the three in the first half, he usually gets at least one in. He's unlucky at the moment, but it will pass."
news_articleMon, 23 Feb 2015 22:56:17 +0000349651 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comMancini rues Inter complacency at CelticInter coach Roberto Mancini lamented his teams complacency after their 3-3 draw at Celtic in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/mancini-rues-inter-complacency
The Serie A outfit gave up a 2-0 lead before going 3-2 up, only for John Guidetti to score with a 93rd-minute equaliser for Celtic.
Mancini rued Inter allowing Celtic back into the contest, and said it was an area of their game they needed to work on.
"If you sit deep against teams like this then sooner or later you're going to concede. We should have tried to hold a higher line. We were tired, though," he told a media conference.
"We got off to a great start in the first half but then we thought the match was over.
"We started playing around and that was our mistake because we let them back into it. That's something we need to improve."
Goals from Xherdan Shaqiri and Rodrigo Palacio in the opening 13 minutes had Inter in control before Stuart Armstrong pulled Celtic back into the contest.
A Hugo Campagnaro own goal less than 60 seconds later had Celtic level before Palacio struck just prior to half-time following an error from Celtic shot-stopper Craig Gordon.
Just as Inter looked set for victory, Guidetti finished well – but Mancini believes it was far from a bad result for his team.
"There's always going to be regret after the way things went tonight but I don't think 3-3 in Glasgow is a bad result," he said.
"We came here looking to take the game to them and it wasn't easy. We made the mistake of taking our foot off the pedal when we were in front."
Mancini defended his decision to start Croatia international Mateo Kovacic on the bench, saying the enormity of the occasion was behind the move.
"A midfielder needs experience and he's not ready yet," he said.
"But the fact he was left out doesn't mean I don't rate him. He'll have chances to play over the coming games because he's an important player."
news_articleFri, 20 Feb 2015 01:15:02 +0000347227 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comMancini giving nothing away for Celtic tieInter coach Roberto Mancini was coy over the availability of Nemanja Vidic and Mateo Kovacic for Thursdays clash against Celtic.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/mancini-giving-nothing-away
Both players have been battling injuries but are tipped to feature in the UEFA Europa League last 32 first leg clash in Scotland.
Mancini was unwilling to give too much away when asked about both players in his media conference on Thursday.
"Vidic has been out because he was injured after the game against Sassuolo. He's been training for five or six days now," he said.
"He may play, he may be a sub, but he is quite familiar with this type of football."
Asked whether Kovacic could start, Mancini said: "It's not really about whether it's a particular player's night, let's hope it's our night tomorrow.
"We've got good quality, as he has, and it's an important match."
Mancini is wary of Celtic, with the Scottish Premiership leaders having won seven straight matches heading into the clash.
And he praised Ronny Delia's men for their style of play.
"We know Celtic is a good team. They play football very well, they don't play classic long ball and they try to play on the pitch," Mancini said.
"I think it will be a very difficult match because they also have good players, good technical players."
news_articleThu, 19 Feb 2015 03:49:28 +0000346619 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comTide turning for improved Inter, claims ManciniInter are in a much-improved frame of mind ahead of Thursdays UEFA Europa League clash with Celtic after back-to-back wins, according to coach Roberto Mancini.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/tide-turning-improved-inter-claims-mancini
Fredy Guarin's brace helped Mancini's side to a 4-1 win over Atalanta on Sunday as Inter moved ninth in the top flight ahead of this week's European clash in Glasgow.
After a mixed start to his second tenure at San Siro, Mancini believes things are looking more positive and hinted he could look to make some free-agent signings to bolster his squad further.
"Confidence is important and after the Napoli match -despite losing at the death [in the Coppa Italia] -we realised we could take anyone on.
"We're not taking too much notice of the table at the moment, but this win stands us in good stead for the Europa League clash against Celtic. That's a very important competition for us.
"It depends on our injuries [whether we make signings], as we have [Marco] Andreolli and [Danilo] D'Ambrosio coming back soon.
"We'll see. It's a question of numbers more than anything, as we've got a lot of matches coming up."
Guarin was the star of the show at Atalanta,with his brace sandwiched by Xherdan Shaqiri's early penaltyand Rodrigo Palacio's fortuitous late strike.
The Colombian midfielder told reporters:"Everything’s coming together. The most important thing is the team’s performance,because that helps individual players to do even better.
"Mancini’s faith has been fundamental to us. It’s really important that we've started winning."
news_articleMon, 16 Feb 2015 08:58:31 +0000344807 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comMancini lauds Guarins great form for InterInter coach Roberto Mancini was full of praise for midfielder Fredy Guarins great formafter he scored twice in a 4-1 Serie A win at 10-man Atalanta on Sunday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/mancini-lauds-guarins-great-form
Guarin played a starring role and won the penalty thatXherdan Shaqiri converted in the second minute before Maximiliano Moralez's leveller after 27 minutes.
The visitors regained the lead through Guarin's low curling effort before half-time and Atalantawere reduced to 10 men after the breakwhen Yohan Benalouane received two bookings in a minute.
Just after the hour mark, Guarin scored an even more spectacular goal and then set up Rodrigo Palacio, prompting Mancini's tribute.
He told the club's official website: "Fredy is a great player and it was strange to see him not performing to the best of his abilities earlier in the season.
"He's a very good midfielder and this will help him gain confidence and relax on the pitch.
"It's not vital for him to score, but of course it helps. We put our faith in him and he's repaying us with some great form."
The victory in Bergamo - Inter's first since Mancini's first stint in charge of the club - was a second successive league winand Mancini hopes the result becomes "abig step forward".
"We’re delightedbecause we've come to a tough ground and won," he said.
"I'm pleased with the performance, though there were still a few too many mistakes that made life difficult for us.
"We had some problems after going 0-1 up, but then after they equalised we took control of the game again.
"Of course, we're in a better position having won two games on the spin, but there'sstill work to do. We're not out of the woods yet, but we hope this is a big step forward for us."
news_articleSun, 15 Feb 2015 17:25:34 +0000344414 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comMancini: Icardi should have celebrated goalInter coach Roberto Mancini said Mauro Icardis refusal to celebrate either of his two goals in their win over Palermo was down to a row with fans.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/mancini-icardi-should-have-celebrated
Icardi scored Inter's second and third goals in their 3-0 win at San Siro on Sunday, their first win in four seeing them rise to ninth in the Serie A table.
Mancini said Icardi's lack of exuberance after each goal was down to a strenuous relationship with the club's fans, as the Argentinean striker and Fredy Guarin saw their shirts thrown back at them in Sassuolo after handing their tops to supporters.
"In my opinion you should celebrate after a goal," the former Manchester City boss told Sky Sport Italia.
"I don't think he's unhappy, I assume it's a leftover from last Sunday. The fans cheered him, so it seems to be sorted out.
"Guarin played well, though at times he gets a bit stubborn with the ball and can lose his way.
"He's perfect as the deeper point of a midfield three, as he plays the ball well and has great power."
Mancini said Inter's performance on Sunday differed little from their losses to Napoli and Sassuolo, the Italian claiming fortune was not in their favour previously.
"Tonight's Inter is the one I wanted," Mancini added.
"It's also the one I saw against Napoli and Sassuolo.
"The only time it wasn't my Inter was against Empoli, as in the other occasions we made costly mistakes.
"We have to keep training, as things are starting to go our way and at times you need a bit of luck too."
The luck that went Inter's way on Sunday was in the form of Palermo's profligacy, as Franco Vazquez hit the woodwork with the visitors trailing 1-0 early in the second half - while Luca Rigoni also missed a gilt-edged chance in the first stanza.
"I don't know how Dodo made that mistake, as he had a team-mate three metres away and wasn't even under pressure," Mancini said, of Inter's defending when Vazquez narrowly failed to equalise.
"This is the kind of error that we paid for in the other games. We cannot keep giving the ball away in these situations."
news_articleMon, 09 Feb 2015 00:48:11 +0000340162 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comMancini urges support for under-fire RanocchiaRoberto Mancini has urged Inter fans to back under-fire captain Andrea Ranocchia following his costly mistake against Napoli on Wednesday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/mancini-urges-support-under-fire-ranocchia
Inter crashed out of the Coppa Italia after losing 1-0 to Rafael Benitez's men and Ranocchia shouldered much of the blame for his role in the late winner.
The Italy international, who has been widely criticised for his form this season, failed to react to a long throw-in and then fell over, allowing Gonzalo Higuain to runthrough and score in the third minute of second-half stoppage time.
Mancini vented his anger after the match, but the Inter coach is hopeful that Ranocchia receives the backing of supporters, insisting individuals are not to blame for the team's current plight.
"The fans have to trust me, that's the only way forward," he told reporters ahead of Sunday's clash with Palermo.
"We need results, though. We need balance – we need to not get carried away when we win or get depressed when we lose.
"There's never just one person to blame. You win and lose together. I think the fans will support Ranocchia.
"Something has to change, but I get the impression that we really are becoming a team."
The former Manchester City tactician is particularly wary of Sunday's opponents, reminding his players that seventh-placed Palermo are more than capable of causing Inter problems.
He was happy to report, however, that both Lukas Podolski and Rodrigo Palacio could be in line to return to the starting line-up.
"We'll decide whether to change anything around on Sunday. Podolski and Palacio are rested and fresh," he added.
"It is exactly the sort of match that could throw up problems. We'll have to play a perfect game."
news_articleSat, 07 Feb 2015 15:51:31 +0000339206 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comMancini: Inter were like a bunch of chickensInter coach Roberto Mancini offered a brutal assessment of his defenders, labelling them a bunch of chickens after the Milan outfit lost 1-0 at Napoli in the Coppa Italia quarter-final.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/mancini-we-were-bunch-chickens
Gonzalo Higuain's injury-time strike was all that separated the two teams at the Stadio San Paolo in mid-week cup action.
With the match looking headed for extra time, Higuain broke Inter's stubborn resistance by shaking off captain Andrea Ranocchia and firing the ball beyond Juan Carrizo.
Mancini was bitterly disappointed by the manner in which Inter conceded, having seen five of his defenders fail to deal with the Argentina international.
"I don't have much to say, you just can't concede a goal like that," said Mancini.
"We played really well throughout the game but every time we go and hand the opposition a free goal.
"We were far too lax. Higuain is a smart player and he nipped in there before anyone else on the throw-in.
"We were like a bunch of chickens, it was five against one. It was a ridiculous goal to concede."
Mancini added: "We're growing as a team but we can't afford to make so many mistakes.
"We did the same on Sunday with [Simone] Zaza and [Nicola] Sansone. This goal we let in tonight was absurd. I'm shocked. We shouldn't have lost the game like that."
Inter goalkeeper Carrizo urged his team-mates to keep working hard in the midst of a three-match losing streak in all competitions.
"It's hard to find the right words. We can't fathom why the results just aren't coming for us," Carrizo told Inter Channel.
"It was a good performance and it's hard to work out the reasons behind this spell we're going through.
"I should be happy with my own display but I can't feel happy tonight. We wanted to reach the semi-finals and we couldn't manage it.
"We have to take the criticism on the chin, get our heads down and knuckle down."
news_articleThu, 05 Feb 2015 00:33:58 +0000337556 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comMourinhos man to Newcastle cast-off: The rise and fall of Inters returning son SantonThe former Magpie has returned to a very different Internazionale fromthe one he left for Tyneside in 2011 but its right for all parties, writesAdam Digby...Adam Digbyhttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/mourinhos-man-newcastle-cast-rise-and-fall-inters-returning-son-santon
Davide Santon's career came full circle on the final day of the January transfer window as he rejoined Inter on loan. The Italian club will pay a rumoured €3.8 million for a player they sold to Newcastle for £5.3m four years ago. His split with the Premier League club appears to have been acrimonious; his partner took to Twitter to lambast the way the deal had been conducted and claimed the 24-year-old had been forced to leave St James’ Park.
Her comments that the Magpies are “a club whose only intentions are to make £££” struck a chord with the general opinion of Mike Ashley’s reign, but the real talking point is what the switch will mean for Santon.
His time in the North East has seen him struggle with injuries and poor form, meaning he has never truly delivered on the promise his career once held.
Hands up, head down
Santon was unveiled holding the No.3 shirt in August 2011, but perhaps the enduring memory of the Italian will be him holding up his hands in apology to fans after costing them a place in the 2013 Europa League semis.
Newcastle had genuine ambitions to win that competition two years ago, but that dream was undone by a woeful backpass from Santon which allowed Lima to give Benfica a lead they would never relinquish.
“I couldn’t see the striker,” he lamented after a lapse in concentration that typified his performances for Newcastle. After making 94 appearances for the club, he ended an eight-month absence from the side last month, finally overcoming a series of injuries to start in their FA Cup defeat to Leicester.
Yet the low-key ending to his spell in England stands in stark contrast to the start of his career. The Italian's emergence at Inter saw him showered with compliments from some of the most influential figures in the game.
Jose Mourinho handed him his full debut as an 18-year-old, and Santon quickly established a regular place in the side, coming to prominence in a 2009 Champions League meeting with Manchester United.
Tasked with shadowing a blossoming Cristiano Ronaldo, the youngster nullified the Portuguese forward in a 0-0 draw, prompting his frustrated opponent to describe him as “a fantastic player”.
Mourinho called him “a phenomenon” and stated: “We must no longer talk about Santon as a great talent because he is already a great footballer.”
Santon collected a Serie A winners' medal at the end of that campaign, and travelled to South Africa as part of the Italy squad for the Confederations Cup where Azzurri coach Marcello Lippi compared him to Paolo Maldini.
As the 2009/10 season began, Marco Materazzi told Santon he “should throw himself off the balcony” if he failed to return to Johannesburg for the World Cup, but by October he'd lost the faith of Mourinho.
Downfall
Brought on as a half-time substitute with Inter winning 4-0 against Palermo, opposition wing-back Mattia Cassani humiliated Santon and almost single-handedly inspired a comeback. Inter held on to win 5-3, but Mourinho unleashed a furious outburst and blamed the poor performance entirely on Santon’s failings.
The youngster was seen leaving the stadium in tears. Later, a meniscus injury dealt a further blow to his confidence from which he has never truly recovered. He failed to impress Mourinho’s successors, eventually leaving for a loan spell at Cesena after becoming an increasingly peripheral figure at Inter.
Roberto Mancini had left the club much earlier, but now the two men will hope their unlikely returns coincide with an upturn in fortunes for the black-and-blue half of Milan.
The investments in attacking talent like Lukas Podolski and Xherdan Shaqiri have yet to pay dividends, with the side currently sitting in 13th place, eight points away from a European place.
Only five teams have conceded more goals, and Santon is the latest name to join a constantly rotating back four as Mancini struggles to decide on a first-choice line-up.
SEE ALSOMancini calls for big-club mentality at Inter
Clearly there is enough quality within the squad to facilitate a rise up the table. There are also other talented players under pressure to deliver; Mateo Kovačić and Mauro Icardi hungry for success and eager to prove they can consistently shine under the spotlight that comes with playing for such a prestigious club.
This is no longer a dominant Inter where Santon must show he belongs alongside great players such as Javier Zanetti. It is a team that, like him, is in search of an identity.
SEE ALSOMeet the Croatian schemer who's on course to emulate Man City string-puller Silva
Both club and player are desperate to recapture the reputation they enjoyed five years ago, and while they say you should never go back, Santon was far from the only player to return to his former home in January.
Alessandro Matri is once again with Juventus after moving on loan from Genoa, while across town at Milan, the Rossoneri re-signed their own former youth team left-back in Luca Antonelli.
Those moves will not faze Mancini and Inter, who will be hoping their issues at full-back are alleviated by a 24-year-old who must first overcome his own.
The two men can help each other achieve that aim and, no longer hampered by being compared to iconic players before him, Santon will simply be hoping to regularly see his name on the Nerazzurri team-sheet.
featureTue, 03 Feb 2015 18:30:00 +0000Joe Brewin336725 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comMancini calls for big-club mentality at InterRoberto Mancini has called for Inter to develop a big-club mentality in order to arrest their poor run of form.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/mancini-calls-big-club-mentality-inter
The Serie A club go into Wednesday's Coppa Italia quarter-final againstNapoli licking their wounds afterback-to-back league defeats.
The most recent setback came against Sassuolo, promptingangry confrontations between players and fans afterwards - involving most notablystriker Mauro Icardi.
After Inter fans threw players' shirts back from the crowd,the Argentine reacted angrily and Mancini told reporters on Tuesday his team needed to accept flak that comes their way.
"Icardi made a mistake,because we need to accept criticism," the Italian explained.
"I told him he shouldn't have gone to the stands,because it was only to be expected that the fans would be angry.
"Having said that,the Inter fans have always stuck with the team and I'm sure they'll continue to do so.
"The lads need to have a big-club mentality and that's what they're doing but what's clear to all is that we're making too many mistakes at the minute.
"I always knew there would be some difficulties in terms of changing the playing system and mentality after two years, but I’m happy with how the squad is doing.
"We need to arrest this trend, score more goals and try not to concede."
A semi-final againstLazio awaits the winners of Wednesday's clash, with Rafael Benitez's Napoli having lost just once since the turn of the year.
"Anything can happen tomorrow – the gap between us and Napoli in the league is irrelevant," Mancini added.
"We hold the Coppa in high regard and want to perform well."
news_articleTue, 03 Feb 2015 14:58:23 +0000336694 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com